11-19-2011, 05:42 PM
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#21 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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The easiest changes are the lower grill block and solid wheel covers, like moon disks.
The grill block alone is worth 3% improvement at hwy speeds.
I did the griill block on my 2006 mazda 5, blocking no more than would still let the car run at normal temps during summer use,( about 2/3rds blocked) and I still saw the 3% gain, going from 30mpg to 31. ( cars rated 27mpg hwy).
That jumps my hwy range from 450 to 465 miles, which is like getting a free extra 1/2 gallon of gas every time I fill up.
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11-19-2011, 11:54 PM
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#22 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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The tires are bigger making the odometer .054 off, but the trip meter is off by even more at .1 off. Grill block is def. on the list but I need to replace the thermostat and housing first as it barely even comes close to warming up even in 60* weather.
Matt
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11-28-2011, 12:20 PM
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#23 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Well, figured up my 2nd tank this past weekend and got 34 mpg! This time I drove mostly city (bout 90%) and it rained quite a bit but I still coasted every inch I could and worked on religiously shifting at 2k etc. I DID make a mistake and zero-ed out my trip meter while workin around my dash but I used the actual mileage to get my difference. I am now writing that down (like I used to have to in my truck with no trip meter) so I can keep better records. After the tank Im currently on I plan on doin a tuneup and then grill block, chin spoiler and tire spats after that, see what I can muster up!
Matt
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11-28-2011, 01:17 PM
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#24 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Welcome to the ecomodding club 66sprint6! I too once was all about the power... always tinkered on Camaros. Finally came to my senses as well and realized similar fun can be had tinkering to max the mpg's.
Sounds like you have a good road map to improved mpgs laid out, good luck with it. You'll be into the 40mpg range soon.
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11-28-2011, 06:44 PM
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#25 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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I sure hope so!!! If I could hit consistent 40s with a few mods and some decent driving Ide be BEYOND happy. My main goal was mid 20s around town and see if I could crack 30 on the highway and Ive already destroyed that expectation!!! 40s or bust LOL
Matt
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11-28-2011, 07:27 PM
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#26 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 66sprint6
The tires are bigger making the odometer .054 off, but the trip meter is off by even more at .1 off. Grill block is def. on the list but I need to replace the thermostat and housing first as it barely even comes close to warming up even in 60* weather.
Matt
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The thermostat should help significantly. Pirce original equipment before you just go get aftermarket. Sometimes the OE stats work much better, faster warmups. Gauge should read just below the halfway mark when it is warm.
regards
Mech
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11-28-2011, 07:31 PM
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#27 (permalink)
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mostly harmless
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While I do really like my full sized truck, it *is* nice to take a trip to see relatively distant friends, get back, do some shopping, and put 5 gallons in, as opposed to 15-20.
Have fun with your "new" car!
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11-28-2011, 10:16 PM
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#28 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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I always try to use Ford stuff when replacing stuff if possible. I love my truck, but I HATE not bein able to go anywhere without havin to pay for it. I can drive and drive and drive with this little thing. I can go 100+ miles further per week on 6 less gallons! I drove the truck this weekend to get my Christmas tree and used a half a tank...insane how I put up with that for so long.
Matt
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11-29-2011, 01:48 PM
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#29 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 66sprint6
I always try to use Ford stuff when replacing stuff if possible. I love my truck, but I HATE not bein able to go anywhere without havin to pay for it. I can drive and drive and drive with this little thing. I can go 100+ miles further per week on 6 less gallons! I drove the truck this weekend to get my Christmas tree and used a half a tank...insane how I put up with that for so long.
Matt
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Amen, same here. $120+ a week in gas back in the day with my truck. There's lots of folks still doing it and they don't care....
I made an Excel Spreadsheet that keeps track of total fuel savings vs. if I had driven my truck for those miles. It really puts things in perspective as you track the dollars vs. your truck. For me, its $5200+ in fuel savings so far, basically everytime I fill the Civic I pocket $75 vs. my truck, you may find similar numbers for your rides.
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11-29-2011, 05:34 PM
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#30 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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With the truck I would budget 1 tank per week. At 16 gallons I was usually fillin up around $50 a week. Then I was limited to 216 miles on that tank if I really tried hard. Using the average local gas prices today (which is cheaper than usual yay) of $3.05 I can determine:
Truck fill up 16 gallons = $48.80
Escort fill up 11.9 gallons = $36.30
If I go the easy route and just compare tank to tank I already save $12.50 right off the start, but then we factor in how far I can go. If I keep my weekly range to that of the truck, 216 miles, then the saving start to add up.
Truck 216 miles = 16 gallons or $48.30
Escort 216 miles = 6.17 gallons or $18.82
Savings = $29.48 per tank
Now, in reality, I DO tend to go further than 216 miles in a week since I can actually get away with it, so my savings are still a little lower than $30 a week but I find myself being able to stretch tank to a week and a half rather than a week and therefore saving myself almost 1 fill up per month which in the truck would be a free $50! I love being able to go places now too which is another immessurable (sp) gain! Im actually taking the gain out of my fuel budget to pay myself back for what I bought the car for lol, another little game to try and add some motivation to get better and better MPG!
Matt
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